Luxman CL-88 Control Amp

Luxman Japan offers a family of components that work together as a full solution and a common preview is appropriate before we dive into each product’s features and attributes:

• CL-88 Control Amplifier
• EQ-88 Moving Magnet Phono Stage
• MQ-88 Stereo Amplifier
• MT-88 Moving Coil Transformer
• OPEQ-88 Outboard Power Supply

The CL-88, the Control Amplifier with line stage can supply power to the matching EQ-88 Moving Magnet Phono Stage for use with a moving coil cartridge. However, you will need to pair that up with the MT-88 Moving Coil Transformer. An outboard power supply, the OPEQ-88 is also available for use with this combination. The MQ-88 Stereo Amplifier have both fixed and variable inputs and can be used as integrated amplifier with a single input with a volume control in the front panel.

Since inception in 1925, Luxman has never been about mass produced products. In the similar vein, these Luxman products are designed in Japan, with each part carefully tested/evaluated, including many custom-made parts, preserving the functionality and special-designed features, making each Luxman component worthy of its pedigree.

Apart from the shared Power Supply, the amplifier designs are usually dual mono. Not only are the transformers made in Japan to their specification, Luxman selects the color paint used on the resistors (to identify value & tolerance) based on extensive listening tests. The chassis are carefully tuned with carefully controlled vibration and resonance, performing much like a musical instrument.

This family of Luxman products come with signature attention to detail most only found in Japanese assembly and testing. The amplifiers come wrapped in a cloth shroud with elastic underneath with all of the RCA & XLR sockets being protected from oxidation by individual plastic sleeves. Even the power cord is a cut above the normal give-away with good sound abound to achieve the superior Luxman sound that so many revere, love, and lust after.

Luxman’s stereo vacuum tube control amplifier, with an ALPS precision brass, four gang volume control, featuring an in-built mute function. By touching the centre of the volume control, the sound mutes at once. Signal switching is performed by a golden switch immersed in a nitrogen container, located near the input terminals in order to maintain a low S/N Ratio. Also available, the MT-88 moving coil step-up transformer.

Kappa Alloy RCA Jacks

This custom RCA socket was developed for the universal music player DU-80, it is a unique blend of copper and brass, chosen for its conductance properties, This new kappa alloy material is used for both the RCA input/output terminals, holds a secure connection and ensures that any sound quality deterioration is kept to a minimum.

Volume Control

The volume control on this is the same as their L-509u.  Solid brass, four gang ALPs potentiometer, too heavy to be motorized, hence the lack of a remote control, it does however provide a linear attenuation and gain throughout the range, holding both channels perfectly in balance even at low amplitude.

Mechanical Grounding

Throughout the 88 vacuum tube series, a 15mm thick top panel and solid brass supports are used as a suspension structure. By cleverly hanging the electronics from the top plate, the mechanical vibrations are isolated from the delicate low level music signal.

The gradation cast-iron legs are provided to protect the tiny delicate sound signals from unwanted vibration.